Researcher Bioprocess

AMPHISTAR - WHO WE ARE

AmphiStar is a young and dynamic spin-off company (2021) of Ghent University and the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant. We offer a portfolio of locally produced, fully waste-based biosurfactants for brand owners and their suppliers seeking to develop genuinely sustainable, performant and affordable surfactant substitutes.

Surfactants are used as active and functional ingredients in a wide variety of products we all use in our daily lives , such as consumer- and industrial products, in sectors as diverse as home- and personal care, cosmetics, textile, pharmaceuticals, food and feed, detergents etc. We like to say that without surfactants the world comes to a halt!

Today, 98% of these surfactants are not sustainable : they are mainly based on fossil- or palm oil feedstocks and typically produced using classical (harsh) chemical processes. AmphiStar has a flexible and scalable production technology that can convert waste and industrial side streams to a wide range of biosurfactants through fermentation . AmphiStar’s biosurfactants are hence sustainable, local and circular, and moreover, they do not compete with feedstock for food production and are not associated with direct land use for their production.

AmphiStar has the mission to develop, scale up and produce biosurfactants at industrially relevant level by building new local and distributed biosurfactant production facilities at feedstock sites, reducing EU’s dependency on imports. The developed process and products are safe and sustainable by design!

To enlarge our process development team, AmphiStar is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Researcher Bioprocessing!

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Are you ready to make an impact in one of the world’s biggest industries? Does climate change concern you and are you excited by biotech and circular economy?

Then AmphiStar’s team is looking for you!

Our ideal candidate can identify her/him/themselves in the following qualifications:

• You have a background in industrial biotechnology. For example, you hold a Master’s degree in bioengineering, biotechnology, biochemistry, or equivalent.
• At least 3 years of experience in bioprocesses and bioreactor operation
• Small teams bring out your best, and the chance to build something from scratch excites you. You embrace the unknown and see it as a chance to learn and grow.
• You are an enthusiastic team player, but you can work independently and take initiative to get business done;
• Good reporting and communication skills
• You are fluent in English. Dutch is an advantage but not required. Other languages are an asset;

WHAT YOU WILL DO

As Reasearcher bioprocessing, you are responsible for:

• Conduct fermentation research using shake flasks and bioreactors to improve the yield of several biosurfactants produced with yeast. Perform pretreatment and product recovery experiments
• Participate in the design and execution of experiments in the lab– followed by data collection, data analysis to draw meaningful conclusions.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the workflows in the lab to ensure a maximum output
• Maintain aseptic technique and ensure adherence to all laboratory safety protocols.

• Operate and maintain bioreactors and DSP devices to ensure high quality, reliable fermentation and purification processes

Reports to the Head of bioprocessing

WHAT WE OFFER

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s most innovative biosurfactant providers at its headquarters in Ghent, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that wants to make biosurfactants mainstream and disrupt the surfactant market. Together, we shape the circular bio-economy and biobased industry of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process, not only with words but also with tangible actions.

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes AmphiStar a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market-compliant remuneration.

REACH OUT

Excited by what you just read? Apply directly through our career site !